7.4 Million Americans Over 65 Now Living with Alzheimer's, Experts Urge Midlife Action

A report released in April 2026 shows 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, an increase from the prior year's figures.

Experts say the numbers underscore the urgency of acting on brain health during midlife, before symptoms appear. Conditions that affect the brain often begin developing in middle age, making the 40s and 50s a critical window for intervention.

Modifiable risk factors include diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and blood pressure management. Researchers say these lifestyle choices can shape brain health over a lifetime.

A new blood test measuring neutrophil levels, a marker of inflammation, may be able to detect Alzheimer's risk years before clinical symptoms emerge. Higher neutrophil counts in the blood appear to correlate with increased risk.

The report comes as brain health has become a top priority in the wellness industry. People are seeking brain-boosting products, cognitive training apps, neurofeedback devices, and wearables. Advancements in cognitive wellness could contribute $26 trillion to the global economy by 2040, according to industry projections.

Researchers are also studying the role of sleep in brain health. Poor sleep is linked to the buildup of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's. Sleep is now considered a core component of longevity therapy by many clinicians.

The U.S. precision diagnostics market, which includes biological age testing and brain health screening, is expected to reach $21.5 billion by 2030. Biological age testing alone is projected to exceed $3 billion by 2033.